Happy spring! This column will be more reflective than is typical, for reasons that will be apparent.
CONGRATULATIONS, MICHAEL MINNICK!
But first: congratulations to current student Michael Minnick, whose band, Stars and Garters, was recently nominated for a “Sammie,” honoring the best musical performances in the Sacramento area. This is just another bit of evidence for the many, sometimes surprising talents of those associated with the MPPA program.
THANK YOU, CRISTY JENSEN
Professor Cristy Jensen has informed us that she is fully retiring at the end of this semester. As many of you know, Cristy entered the Faculty Early Retirement Program last summer. During this past academic year she has finished another term as a CSU statewide academic senator, taught a section of the introductory PPA undergraduate course, and led a major program review for the Psychology Department. While she has remained fully engaged in these activities and many others, she has decided it is time for a new phase in her life.
We are all in debt to Cristy in numerous ways. As the first PPA director, she played a critical role in designing our graduate program, ensuring that it was truly interdisciplinary and appropriately balanced between emphasizing policy analysis/research skills and political analysis/public management. At a recent meeting of public policy and administration programs from across the state, I was reminded of how visionary our “founders” were when I heard many other directors seemingly struggle with finding the right balance among program elements. Cristy also fought hard over many years to hire top notch faculty members and hold the program to high academic standards. More recently, Cristy assumed a leadership role on a host of campus governance issues, including establishing appropriate guidelines for doctoral programs.
I probably do not need to remind you that Cristy has been a wonderful colleague and mentor. Indeed, the respect everyone has for her sometimes led to interesting challenges. Especially when she was serving as Chair of the CSUS Faculty Senate, I considered it a major accomplishment if she and I could cross campus together—and move more than about 100 feet without someone asking to talk to her about a matter that was “absolutely crucial.”
We will welcome Cristy’s continued involvement with the Department in any way that makes her feel comfortable. Hard as it may be, we will also try to avoid the strong temptation to ignore her emeritus status (“er, Cristy, would you just take a quick look at this issue paper…?”). At the same time, we suspect it will be a little easier to arrange get-togethers with her—think Peet’s Coffee in Davis. Above all, we wish Cristy all the best and are thankful for everything she has done.
SIGNING OFF (BUT NOT LEAVING)
This particular newsletter also represents a transition in another sense: it is the last time I will be writing a “chair’s corner” for the foreseeable future. Most but perhaps not all of you know that, after two three-year terms, I will be stepping down as department chair in May. Happily, I will leave the chair’s duties in Rob Wassmer’s capable hands.
I am very proud of what we have accomplished in the past six years. Since I teach in the area of collaborative governance, it is especially gratifying that most of our initiatives have involved extensive collaboration with people other than those working for the Department. With our graduates we established an alumni chapter, and that organization has been active in numerous educational, community service, and social activities. Working closely with the Center for Collaborative Policy, we first developed course work in that area and than created what we believe to be the only collaborative governance certificate program in the nation. Together with the College of Business Administration we launched a Master’s of Science in Urban Land Development, a program which is virtually unique in the state. Working with the College of Education, UC Davis, and Sonoma State University, we developed a joint educational doctorate program, and several of our faculty members have served as instructors in that program. More recently, we have helped to create a stand alone EDD program that is scheduled to commence in the fall. And working closely with the Administrative Office of the Courts, we have developed a graduate certificate and a PPA concentration in judicial administration. Pending final approval through the campus governance process, these programs will be launched in the fall (more information on the specifics will be forthcoming).
Additionally, I am proud that during my tenure we hired two very talented new faculty members, Miguel Ceja and Mary Kirlin. And even as I recognize such major changes, I am pleased that we have taken smaller steps that are helpful to students such as updating our student handbook and moving the entire document on-line. Would many of such improvements been possible without Suzi Byrd’s exceptional skills and dedication? Let’s be serious…
In short, much has been accomplished working with great groups of colleagues, students, and alumni. It is beyond my addled Baby Boomer capacity to thank everyone who was helpful in our efforts over the past several years. But please know that I am truly grateful.
And I am not exactly leaving the scene. I will continue to teach classes, conduct research, serve as a thesis advisor, and the like. It is also likely that over time I will take on some other responsibilities. So please contact me if you want to talk about anything. Is it possible to meet me for coffee? Well, as many of you know, going out for coffee has never exactly been a hard sell for me…
Have a great summer.
Ted Lascher
PPA Department Chair
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